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Modric 'loves to hear' of Barcelona interest

Luka Modric is linked to Manchester United and Barcelona © PA Photos

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Luka Modric admits he is enjoying his current status as a high profile summer transfer target for the giants of European football, following reports linking him to Barcelona.

Modric angled for a move away from Tottenham last summer, with Chelsea leading the race for the Croatian's signature. However, chairman Daniel Levy stood firm and resisted bids in the region of £40 million.

Spurs are likely to face another struggle to retain their prized asset after they failed to secure Champions League football for next season, courtesy of Chelsea's victory in the final. Uncertainty also surrounds the club due to the departure of Harry Redknapp.

Modric comes face-to-face with Spain in Croatia's final group match, meaning he will get to test himself against the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. When the suggestion was put to him that he could join them at club level, Modric enjoyed the speculation.

"Of course, I love to hear things like that, but it just motivates me more to play better and show that I can be even more dangerous," he said ahead of the Group C encounter.

"This is the match in which all of us can prove ourselves."

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has rejected the suggestion that Spain are just like Barcelona, preferring to highlight the fact that the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso are key cogs in the squad.

"They talk about the national team and Barcelona but there are also five players from Real Madrid," Mourinho told Marca. "I don't understand why they mix them because they are two distinct things. Spain isn't Barcelona.

"Barcelona were the champions of Spain. And I repeat, were the champions because now they are not."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.